Standing Rock Chairman calls pipeline decision "huge win", says ready to educate Trump
Record ID:
75833
Standing Rock Chairman calls pipeline decision "huge win", says ready to educate Trump
- Title: Standing Rock Chairman calls pipeline decision "huge win", says ready to educate Trump
- Date: 5th December 2016
- Summary: CANNON BALL, NORTH DAKOTA, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 5, 2016) (REUTERS) NATIVE AMERICAN MAKING TRADITIONAL CHANT AT OCETI SAKOWIN PROTEST CAMP VARIOUS OF OCETI SAKOWIN CAMP
- Embargoed: 20th December 2016 18:28
- Keywords: North Dakota pipeline Energy Transfer Partners Dakota Access Pipeline Lake Oahe
- Location: CANNON BALL/FORT YATES, NORTH DAKOTA, UNITED STATES
- City: CANNON BALL/FORT YATES, NORTH DAKOTA, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA0015BLZSJR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Thousands of protesters in North Dakota celebrated the federal government's ruling against a controversial pipeline project but girded for a protracted struggle as president-elect Donald Trump's transition team said on Monday (December 05) it supports the project and would review it after he takes office.
Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault II said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that he hopes to speak with Trump about the project.
"You know I think it's an opportune time to sit down and try to open lines of communication to help him understand that the decision was rendered by the Corps of Engineers was the right decision. So, before he tries to attempt any action like that, he should really sit down with us and try to learn the issue. It's not just about money; it's about people's lives. I'm open and welcoming a discussion with the President," he said.
Archambault said non-Sioux protesters could go home because no action was likely until late January, after Trump takes office.
"Mission has been accomplished. We built awareness. A decision has been rendered. It's time to remove the roadblocks. It's time for everyone to go home and be safe," he said.
"Regardless of the incoming President, regardless of the company saying they're going to move forward, it's not going to happen this winter. Nothing will happen this winter. So, it's ok for everybody to be cautious and fearful, but they have to understand and realize that it's safe and it's time to move on," he added.
The company building the pipeline, Energy Transfer Partners, said late on Sunday that it had no plans to reroute the line, and expected to complete the project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said on Sunday it rejected an application for the Dakota Access Pipeline to tunnel under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River.
Native Americans and activists protesting the project have argued that the 1,172-mile (1,885-km) Dakota Access Pipeline would damage sacred lands and could contaminate the tribe's water source.
Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Archambault said the pipeline ruling is a win for both Native Americans and the country as a whole.
"I think that this is a huge win, not just for Standing Rock, not just for all the native nations that exist and that came and showed support but it's a huge win for this nation. For the first time this nation and the leaders had the courage to make the right decision that will benefit this country," he said.
Late on Sunday, Energy Transfer Partners said in a joint statement with its partner Sunoco Logistics Partners that it does not intend to reroute the line and called the Obama administration's decision a "political action."
The pipeline is complete except for a 1-mile (1.61 km) segment that was to run under Lake Oahe, which required permission from federal authorities.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it would analyze possible alternate routes, but any other route is likely to cross the Missouri River. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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